Speaking shortly after the arrival of the 108-seater plane leased from Aero Vista Dubai, Chizi said ATCL will resume flights in a week’s time, hinting at the possibility of linking Dar es Salaam to Dubai during the next three months.
“Tanzanians should expect the best services that they have missed for some time. This time we expect to give timely but affordable services,” he said.

Chizi said the company will enter into joint ventures with international flight carriers in a bid to expand its footprint, stressing that the initiative will be on a win-win situation.

“Through such partnerships, we will ensure there is a win-win situation. Where a company doesn’t benefit such partnership doesn’t last,” he said.

He added that the company’s plane undergoing repairs at Terminal One will be ready in the next six weeks and will help boost the company’s service delivery.

The leased plane has already been inspected by a team of experts from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) in Cairo, Egypt and a certificate granted for the plane to operate in the country.

ATCL recently launched a website in order to improve customer service delivery as well as boost the national flag carrier’s efficiency.

The website enables customers to make bookings without going through ATCL offices or agents and enables customers to air their views through social networks.

The ATCL CEO told reporters a few that acquisition of the plane was a short-term plan to enhance the firm’s service delivery, adding that the airline has a long-term plan that will be implemented accordingly.

In April this year, all 35 passengers and crew aboard an ATCL flight ‘Ft 119’ from Kigoma to Dar es Salaam cheated death after the plane crashed on take-off at the world’s second deepest lake-side town.

Speaking after the accident, Kigoma Acting Regional Police Commander Kihenya Kihenya, said the plane had apparently failed to take off and instead run into a grass patch off the runway.